Is ESPN Insider worth it? (OT)

[bkeich]

Just wanted to get some thoughts as it isnt really that much money, but of course you dont know what level the content is if you dont have it.

• Yes, it is good content worth a few dollars a month
• No, it is quality of content you can easily find without the fee

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[Patchmk88]

I've always wondered the same thing.

[bkeich]

Well, you can pay for my first month if we decide to do it

[tom81]

I've been too cheap to bother with it. There is a lot of other free information available elsewhere.

[zambonir]

I think it is worth it if you would also enjoy getting the magazine. The magazine is also cheaper ($29.95 for a year, though I assume it goes up in the second year).

If you're only interested in baseball, I'd say no, there are so few scoops these days, and all those ESPN people are giving their insights for free on TV and online video too. But if, says, the NFL draft or their NCAA tournament coverage appeals to you, it's more of a value.

[Les229]

I agree with you. There are so many other free places to go that I have never felt the need to pay for any of them. I don't have time to read all of the other ones as it is.

[schooldoc]

I'm a subscriber. I enjoy a number of the features behind the Insider window such as Keith Law's work (prospect rankings, MLB draft analysis), McShay & Kiper around NFL draft time, and the "Chalk" section for advice on football selections.

I don't read the magazine and after quite a while asking, they've finally stopped sending it to me.

[andyb]

I don't read the magazine and after quite a while asking, they've finally stopped sending it to me

I am in this boat too. Of course I don't think they charge any less money without the magazine.

[xogfog]

I called and said the price was to high and they gave it to me for $19.97. I've been doing that for years, they always give me this deal. Make sure you ask for electronic delivery of the magazine.

[andyb]

I will give it a shot. Thanks.

[andyb]

Massive cuts (100 on air personnel) at ESPN.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/04/26/espn-announces-layoffs-with-100-people-reportedly-affected/?utm_term=.e92fef193571

Bowden is out on the baseball side. Looks like their NFL draft coverage is hit pretty hard along with the NHL coverage.

[EastFallowfield]

Jayson Stark out too.

[bkeich]

Wow, Stark is shocking. My guess is he had a large salary, but still very surprising.

Odd that they cut guys from the NFL draft just 1 day before it starts.

[EDmuch]

I bet they kept all the know nothing blonde women they have added over the past few years.

[andyb]

This could hurt ESPN Insider's value even more than the on-air talent because this looks like a lot of the writers that might contribute to on-air coverage but really do their best work on the web. And guys like Stark that have been there for 15-20 years are more vulnerable because they probably had higher salaries.

On the original topic this probably makes ESPN Insider less worth it the next time my renewal comes up.

[Lawman]

As is Doug Glanville, Raul Ibanez, and Dallas Braden. Also, they have "significantly reduced" Karl Ravech's role.

And, that's just on Baseball alone.

[teabag259]

I would say that is a no...

[LoneStarPhan]

I had inside access for a number of years through ESPN the magazine. I was able to get it very cheap or free several years, but alas, I have not seen any such opportunities for a few years. As a result, I have not had the access for a few years.

I will not pay the price they ask for access or for the magazine. Without a very steep discount, I will remain an outsider.

Really, all the info ends up available from other sources within about the same timeframe.

[xogfog]

I have been a member since it was first offered, when me life circumstances changed and the price went too high for Insider, I called them to say I needed to cancel because I could no longer afford it. They asked me what I could afford, and I said $20 and he said he could give it to me for $19.97. I've called them every year since then when I get a renewal option and ask for that same price and they have always given it to me. I'm pretty sure anyone can do the same thing. Even with the recent cutbacks in personnel I think Insider is still worth $20 a year. I also got tired a of receiving the magazine, and they offered to send me a digital subscription, so now I get it by e-mail and save a bunch of trees.

[donaldorc]

have been a member since it was first offered, when me life circumstances changed and the price went too high for Insider, I called them to say I needed to cancel because I could no longer afford it. They asked me what I could afford, and I said $20 and he said he could give it to me for $19.97.

Probably the reason they have had to lay off so many employees.